preventive (redirected from preventives)

preventive /pre·ven·tive/ (pre-vent´iv) prophylactic.

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pre·ven·tive (pr-vntv) or pre·ven·ta·tive (-t-tv)

adj.

Preventing or slowing the course of an illness or disease; prophylactic.

n.

A preventive agent or treatment.

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preventive

[-ven′tiv]

Etymology: L, praevenire, to anticipate

pertaining to hindering the occurrence of an illness or decreasing the incidence of a disease.

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preventive,

adj avoiding occurrence.

preventive dentistry,

n the procedures in dental practice and health programs that prevent the occurrence of oral diseases.

preventive maintenance,

n a manner of avoiding future potential dental diseases or oral problems by practicing good oral hygiene on a regular basis.

preventive medicine,

n the branch of medicine that is concerned with the prevention of disease and methods for increasing the power of the patient and community to resist disease and prolong life.

preventive orthodontic treatment,

n the dental services intended to prevent the development of a malocclusion by maintaining the integrity of an otherwise normally developing dentition. Typical services include dental restorations, temporary prostheses (space maintainers) to replace prematurely lost primary teeth, and removal of primary teeth that fail to shed normally to allow the permanent successors to erupt satisfactorily.

Prevotella

n a genus of gram-negative, anaerobic, non-spore-forming, nonmotile rods. Organisms of this genus were originally classified as members of the
Bacteroides genus but overwhelming biochemical and chemical findings indicated the need to separate them from other
Bacteroides species; hence, this new genus was established.

P. intermedia

n a bacilli found in gingival crevices that is believed to be responsible for gingivitis, chronic periodontitis, and other infections of the oral cavity.

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preventive

serving to avert the occurrence of; prophylactic.

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veterinary preventive medicine

science aimed at preventing disease in animals. Preventive medicine has been a large part of general practices for many years and is currently expanding the sorts of services that it provides by the inclusion of such items as herd health programs, cytogenetic surveillance, embryo transfer.

veterinary preventive screening

see screening test.

veterinary preventive therapeutics

the positive aspects of repair of nutritional deficiencies; the provision of therapeutic agents as part of a preventive medicine program. Daily administration of small doses of anthelmintics, treatment of the trypanosomiases are examples.

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Patient discussion about preventives.

Q. Is there a way to prevent breast cancer? My mom died of breast cancer, and as I understand – It’s a very high risk factor. What can I change in my life style in order to prevent it?

A. There is a lot of debate about the role of Estrogen exposure. It clearly contributes to breast cancer risk, not as much if you don’t have family history.
So it might be wise to Avoid long-term hormone therapy. Avoid working night shifts- it changes your hormonal balance because of lighting (light is a big factor of hormonal changes during the day). and there are a lot of estrogen-like pesticides today, it’s suspected as one of the things that raised the amount of breast cancer in modern life.

Here is a nice site that might help:
http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/

Q. How to prevent burns from babies? I have a 4 month old baby and when I gave him a bath last night, he turned red because of the hot water. After the bath the color faded but now I am worried, can this burn him?

A. Don't worry, it isn't a burn, however you must be careful as babies are very sensitive. Here is a good website which has great tips for preventing burns in babies and kids:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/burns.html

Q. How can I prevent blood clots? I am 45 years old and am supposed to go on a business trip overseas. The flight itself is 12 hours long and then I have to continue traveling by bus. Could this cause me to have blood clots? If so, how can I prevent it?

A. Sitting or laying in one position for a long period of time can increase the risk of developing DVT- deep vein thrombosis. Here are some methods to prevent it:
Exercise your calf and foot muscles regularly:
Every half hour or so, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes when you are seated.
Press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor or foot-rest every so often. This helps to increase the blood flow in your legs
Take a walk up and down the aisle every hour or so, when the aircraft crew say it is safe to do so.
If you are allowed, get off the plane and walk about if the plane stops for refueling.
Consider buying a leg exerciser for the journey.
Drink plenty of water (to avoid dehydration).
Do not drink too much alcohol. (Alcohol can cause dehydration and immobility.)
Do not take sleeping tablets, which cause immobility.
Consider wearing compression stockings.
Some people at high risk may also be advised to take anticoagulant medication by their Dr.